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Here we will discuss some tight albums that dropped in recent weeks which we might not have gotten a chance to review in full.
Jae Skeese & Big Ghost LTD – Authenticity Check
Coming out in 2022 swinging with two projects already, Drumwork member Jae Skeese is really making a name for himself. With a constant flurry of references and shit talk that veil some more mature themes, he’s really honing his craft and becoming a standout of this East Coast scene. His flow is a bit reminiscent of Joey Bada$$ on this newest project, Authenticity Check. Big Ghost obviously delivers on the beats, remaining one of the most prolific and consistent producers in his lane; Always dark and heavy, but tweaking his sound subtly to fit the MC’s themes. Like Iroquois Pliskin, this album is still a bit short and feels like it’s building towards a legit breakout album.
Listen to Authenticity Check on Spotify
Yungeen Ace – All On Me
Core to the Florida drill scene, Yungeen Ace came through with one of his better albums with All On Me. With a distinctly Southern spin on drill patterns, he always incorporates a lot of melodies and pain influence too, crooning not just about gang life, but also heartbreak and mental health (in the vein of YNW Melly in many ways). All On Me leans even further into his penchant for singing and it comes out all very clean and catchy. Perhaps not as memorable as 2018’s Life of Betrayal, it’s good to see some quality albums coming out of the scene.
Listen to All On Me on Spotify
AJ Suede – Hundred Year Darkness
Coming off the stellar Metatron’s Cube (featured in our Best Albums of the Year So Far list), AJ Suede drops something a little shorter and easier to just throw on for casual listening. Rife with nerdy references to Star Wars and anime among many other things, Hundred Year Darkness still has some reflective undertones as a result of the dark, minimal production by Small Professor. Suede seems to have found a new level of inspiration in this past year and we look forward to more of these emotive backpack vibes.